Translation guide
The English adverb "wholly" means completely, entirely, or fully. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs and adverbial phrases, with the most common being まったく (mattaku) and 完全に (kanzen ni). The choice depends on nuance: まったく emphasizes totality or absoluteness, 完全に emphasizes perfection or completeness, and other options convey degrees of exclusivity or thoroughness.
Expressing that something is done to the fullest extent or without exception.
The most common and versatile adverb for 'wholly' or 'completely'. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, and often carries a sense of absoluteness.
彼の話はまったく信じられない。
His story is wholly unbelievable.
それはまったく別の問題だ。
That's a wholly different issue.
Means 'completely' or 'perfectly', emphasizing that nothing is missing or flawed. Often used for states of completion or perfection.
その計画は完全に失敗した。
The plan failed wholly.
彼は完全に回復した。
He has wholly recovered.
Implies a complete change of state or that something is done thoroughly, often with a sense of 'all' or 'entirely'. Common in spoken Japanese.
すっかり忘れていた。
I had wholly forgotten.
町の様子はすっかり変わった。
The town's appearance has wholly changed.
Kanji form of まったく. Same meaning and usage, but slightly more formal or written. Often used in negative sentences.
全く同感です。
I wholly agree.
Means 'wholly' in the sense of 'not at all' when used with a negative verb. Emphasizes total negation. Often used in formal or written contexts.
私は一切関与していません。
I am wholly uninvolved.
Indicating that something is devoted to or consists of only one thing.
Means 'wholly' in the sense of 'exclusively' or 'solely'. Used when an action or state is limited to one thing.
彼はもっぱら研究に専念している。
He is wholly devoted to his research.
この店はもっぱら輸入品を扱っている。
This store deals wholly in imported goods.
Kanji form of もっぱら. Same meaning, slightly more formal or written.
Emphasizing that every part or aspect is included.
A four-character compound meaning 'wholly' or 'thoroughly', literally 'from head to tail'. Emphasizes consistency or completeness throughout.
彼は徹頭徹尾正直な人だ。
He is a wholly honest person.
まったく is more subjective and often used in expressions of feeling or judgment (e.g., まったく驚いた 'I was wholly surprised'). 完全に is more objective and used for states or processes (e.g., 完全に壊れた 'wholly broken'). In many cases they are interchangeable, but まったく can sound more emphatic or emotional.
まったくその通りだ。
That's wholly true. (emphatic agreement)
完全にその通りだ。
That's wholly true. (factual statement)
While 全部 (zenbu) means 'all' or 'everything', it is not a direct adverb for 'wholly'. Using 全部に to mean 'wholly' is unnatural. Instead, use adverbs like まったく or 完全に.
その提案にまったく賛成です。
I am wholly in favor of the proposal.
その建物は火事で完全に破壊された。
The building was wholly destroyed by the fire.
彼女はもっぱら子供たちに尽くした。
She devoted herself wholly to her children.
専ら個人的な意見です。
This is wholly my personal opinion.